Black Forest Cake Recipe
A timeless classic, the Black Forest Cake is an indulgent treat that combines layers of rich chocolate cake, sweet cherries, velvety whipped cream, and decadent chocolate decorations. Perfect for a special occasion, this dessert is sure to captivate your guests with its combination of textures and flavors. The addition of homemade chocolate trees adds an artistic touch, elevating this cake to a whole new level of elegance.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour (Maida) | 1 cup |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Cocoa powder | 6 tablespoons |
| Sugar | 1.5 cups |
| Unsalted butter | 100 grams |
| Eggs (room temperature) | 4 whole |
| Vanilla extract | 3 teaspoons |
| Hung curd (Greek yogurt) | 4 tablespoons |
For the Whipped Cream Frosting:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Heavy whipping cream | 500 grams |
| Icing sugar | 1/2 cup + 4 tablespoons |
For the Decoration:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cherry compote | 1/2 cup |
| Canned cherries (or fresh) | 1/2 cup |
| Dark chocolate | 250 grams |
| Chocolate shavings | 1/2 cup |
| Dark chocolate chips | 2 tablespoons |
| White chocolate chips | 2 tablespoons |
Equipment Needed
- Electric blender
- Piping bag
- Parchment paper (butter paper)
- Serrated knife
- Cake pan
- Mixing bowls
- Cake turntable (optional)
- Refrigerator
Preparation Time: 60 minutes
Cooking Time: 200 minutes
Total Time: 260 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Continental
Course: Dessert
Diet: Eggetarian
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and allow it to warm up for 10-15 minutes.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the sugar and butter using an electric blender until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, blending after each addition. Once all eggs are added, stir in the vanilla extract and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until combined. Then, fold in the thick hung curd (Greek yogurt) using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix or beat the batter, as this can affect the cake’s texture.
- Bake the Cake: Grease and dust a round cake pan, then pour the batter into the pan. Tap the pan on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Once baked, transfer the cake to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely. After cooling, remove the cake from the pan and wrap it in cling film. Store it in a dry and cool place while you prepare the frosting.
Step 2: Make Chocolate Trees for Decoration
- Prepare the Sketch: On an A4-sized sheet of paper, draw a tree sketch to the desired height for decoration. Place a larger piece of butter paper over the sketch and secure it with tape.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Once melted, pour the chocolate into a piping bag, cutting a small hole at the tip to create fine lines.
- Pipe the Chocolate Trees: Carefully pipe the chocolate onto the butter paper following the tree design, creating a solid outline of the trees.
- Refrigerate: Place the chocolate-covered butter paper in the fridge for about an hour, or until the chocolate trees harden completely.
Step 3: Prepare the Whipped Cream Frosting
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream and icing sugar. Using an electric blender, whip the mixture until soft peaks form.
- Chill the Whipped Cream: Once the desired consistency is reached, refrigerate the whipped cream for about 10 minutes to firm it up before applying to the cake.
Step 4: Assembling the Cake
- Slice the Cake: Once the cake has cooled, carefully remove it from the cling film and slice it horizontally into two or three equal layers using a sharp serrated knife.
- Prepare the Sugar Syrup: In a small bowl, dissolve 4 tablespoons of icing sugar in 1/2 cup of water to create a sweet syrup. This will help keep the cake moist.
- Moisten the Cake Layers: Generously brush the syrup over each layer of the cake to keep it moist.
- Layer the Cake: Place the first cake slice on a cake turntable or flat surface. Spread a layer of cherry compote on top of it, followed by a layer of whipped cream. Sprinkle chopped cherries over the whipped cream.
- Repeat the Process: Add the second cake layer and repeat the layering process with cherry compote, whipped cream, and more chopped cherries.
- Top Layer: For the final layer, gently press the third slice of cake into place. Cover the entire cake with whipped cream, smoothing it out to create an even finish.
Step 5: Decorating the Cake
- Piping Rosettes: Transfer some whipped cream into a piping bag and pipe rosettes along the top border of the cake.
- Add Chocolate and Cherries: Sprinkle chocolate shavings inside the rosette circle. Place some fresh or canned cherries on top, along with white chocolate chips for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Attach Chocolate Trees: Carefully remove the chocolate trees from the fridge and gently press them into the sides of the cake, securing them with the whipped cream.
- Final Touches: Sprinkle some chocolate chips at the base of the trees to cover the gap between the roots and the cake’s edge.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate the Cake: Place the completed cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the decorations to set and the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Once chilled, your Black Forest Cake is ready to serve. Slice and enjoy this delicious, visually stunning dessert at your next gathering!
Tips for Success:
- Cake Moisture: Brushing the cake layers with sugar syrup helps to maintain moisture, ensuring a soft and delectable cake.
- Chocolate Trees: If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off as an alternative.
- Chill the Cake: Refrigerating the cake allows the whipped cream to firm up and helps the chocolate trees stay in place.
Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, or any special celebration, this Black Forest Cake is sure to leave a lasting impression. With its luscious layers of chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream, it brings a perfect balance of indulgence and beauty to the table. Enjoy baking and sharing this delightful treat with your loved ones!
